Military Officer to Strategy&: How to Make the Transition
Veterans and active-duty officers transitioning from military leadership to consulting.
Legacy of Booz & Company with access to PwC implementation capabilities.
Why Strategy& Values Military Backgrounds
Strategy& values military officers for organizational design and transformation work. Your experience building high-performing teams and navigating complex hierarchies translates to operating model design and change management.
Transferable Skills to Highlight
Leadership under pressure
Use specific examples with quantified stakes. Strategy& wants evidence of calm, effective leadership in challenging situations.
Strategic planning
Use specific examples with measurable outcomes. Strategy& values concrete evidence of this skill applied to achieve results.
Team management
Use specific examples with measurable outcomes. Strategy& values concrete evidence of this skill applied to achieve results.
Rapid decision-making
Use specific examples with measurable outcomes. Strategy& values concrete evidence of this skill applied to achieve results.
Operations excellence
Use specific examples with measurable outcomes. Strategy& values concrete evidence of this skill applied to achieve results.
Common Challenges & How to Address Them
Corporate vocabulary
Learn business terminology through case practice. Study Strategy&-authored articles and reports for their language patterns. Join consulting prep groups to practice professional communication.
Business case exposure
Address directly through targeted practice and preparation. Strategy& interviewers will probe for evidence you've overcome this gap.
Civilian networking
Address directly through targeted practice and preparation. Strategy& interviewers will probe for evidence you've overcome this gap.
Quantitative framing
Address directly through targeted practice and preparation. Strategy& interviewers will probe for evidence you've overcome this gap.
Resume Tips for Military Candidates
- Lead with impact, not responsibilities. Instead of "Military duties," quantify achievements: revenue generated, costs saved, efficiency improved.
- Translate Military terminology into business language. Strategy& reviewers may not know your industry jargon.
- Highlight cross-functional work and stakeholder management. Strategy& values candidates who've navigated complex organizational dynamics.
- Include any consulting-adjacent experience: internal strategy projects, due diligence support, business case development.
- Show progression and increasing scope of responsibility. Strategy& wants evidence of growth trajectory and leadership potential.
- Translate military terminology (use "team" not "platoon," "budget" not "TOE allocation").
- Quantify scope: personnel managed, budgets controlled, geographic coverage.
Case Interview Tips for Military Candidates
- Structure first, always. Strategy& tests your ability to organize problems before diving into analysis.
- Practice mental math until it's automatic. Hesitation on numbers raises red flags regardless of background.
- Drive the case proactively. Strategy& wants candidates who can lead client conversations, not just respond to questions.
- Your strategic planning experience transfers directly. Frame business cases like mission planning.
- Practice business vocabulary. Avoid military jargon even when concepts are similar.
- Your leadership examples will be strong in behavioral portions. Focus case prep on analytical skills.
Networking Strategies for Strategy&
- Connect with Military alumni at Strategy& through LinkedIn. Ask for 15-minute informational calls focused on their transition experience.
- Attend Strategy& recruiting events and introduce yourself with a clear, concise background summary that highlights your unique value.
- Join consulting prep communities and case interview groups. Network with other Military candidates making similar transitions.
- Reach out to Strategy& recruiters with a tailored message explaining why your Military background is relevant to their practice areas.
- Ask for referrals strategically. Strategy&, like most consulting firms, prioritizes referred candidates in the screening process.
- Use veteran-specific recruiting programs. Strategy& likely has dedicated military recruiting initiatives.
Preparation Timeline
Foundation Building(4-6 weeks)
- Complete business fundamentals courses if needed
- Start daily mental math practice (15-20 min/day)
- Begin reading business publications and case studies
- Research Strategy&'s culture, values, and recent work
- Update resume with consulting-focused framing
Case Interview Mastery(6-8 weeks)
- Learn and practice all major case frameworks
- Complete 30+ practice cases with feedback
- Master market sizing and estimation questions
- Practice structuring ambiguous problems
- Time your cases to build speed and confidence
Behavioral Preparation(2-3 weeks)
- Prepare 8-10 stories using Strategy&'s behavioral framework
- Practice articulating why consulting and why now
- Develop Strategy&-specific answers for "why this firm"
- Prepare questions demonstrating firm research and genuine interest
- Practice with mock interviews if available
Application & Networking(2-4 weeks)
- Submit application to Strategy&
- Reach out to contacts for referrals if possible
- Continue case practice at interview pace
- Research interviewers on LinkedIn when scheduled
- Plan logistics and professional attire for interviews
Key Success Factors
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